Immune-driven tubulointerstitial injury in pediatric nephrotic syndrome
Official title: Immune mediated mechanisms of tubulointerstitial injury in childhood nephrotic syndrome
Funded at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NIH-11352792 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist aims to understand how immune processes cause kidney tissue damage in children with difficult-to-treat nephrotic syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $164,580 |
| NIH project number | 1K08DK147611-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352792 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children under 11 with primary steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome or related nephrotic conditions, whose disease involves tubulointerstitial injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without this specific kidney condition or whose disease is unrelated to tubulointerstitial injury may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on how inflammation and immune cells contribute to tubulointerstitial injury in kids with nephrotic syndrome that does not respond to steroids. It uses pediatric-relevant models to study the pathways and cell types, particularly dendritic cells, that may drive damage beyond the glomerulus. The goal is to identify targetable steps to slow or prevent scarring and progression to kidney failure. Results could point to new treatments that protect kidney tissue and improve long-term outcomes for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to therapies that reduce kidney scarring and delay or prevent end-stage kidney disease in children with nephrotic syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Emerging work in proteinuric kidney diseases suggests immune pathways, including dendritic cells, contribute to tubulointerstitial injury, but precise mechanisms remain to be defined in children.
Where this research is happening
-
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dalal, Vidhi — Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Dalal, Vidhi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Whole genome sequencing to uncover molecular causes in nephrotic syndrome
A study to map the genetic and molecular factors behind nephrotic syndrome and related kidney diseases to help diagnose and guide future treatments for patients.
-
Sodium-related edema in nephrotic syndrome and ANGPTL4
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Hodgkin lymphoma–linked nephrotic syndrome and kidney injury
This project looks at how Hodgkin lymphoma may cause nephrotic syndrome by changing a kidney gene and exposing kidney cells to lymphoma-related substances.
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Targeting calcineurin regulators for better diagnostics and treatments for nephrotic syndrome
This work looks at whether proteins that control calcineurin can be used to make better tests and more precise treatments for people with nephrotic syndrome.
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Investigating the role of a specific protein in childhood kidney disease
This study is looking at how a protein called CD93 might affect kidney health in children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome, and by examining blood and urine samples, researchers hope to find clues that could help doctors better understand and treat this condition.
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Improving how we measure symptoms for nephrotic syndrome
This project aims to create better ways to measure how patients with nephrotic syndrome experience symptoms like fluid overload, making it easier to understand how new treatments are working.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.